Davis Cup: Ruud in action, Tsitsipas as reserve
While the four other members of the European Laver Cup team are taking a break, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud are involved in the Davis Cup this weekend.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Sep 18, 2021, 09:01 am
The last days of Team Europe before the Laver Cup 2021 can look so different: While Alexander Zverev is trying his hand at a TV duel with goalkeeping legend Silvio Heinevetter tonight, Daniil Medvedev is sending best regards from the short vacation via social media. Matteo Berrettini stayed in the USA and attended the Met Gala with his girlfriend Ajla Tomljanovic at the beginning of the week. Only little is heard or seen from Andrey Rublev. With Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas, the respective national team calls anyway.
Nominally, Greece goes into the duel with Lithuania in World Group II with Tsitsipas as the top man. For the first day, the current number three in the world was not nominated - instead, Brother Petros will tackle the task against Ricardas Berankis. Michail Pervolarakis competes in the second individual. Let's see if Stefanos starts in Heraklios in doubles or if he reaches for a single point tomorrow, Sunday.
Ruud wins confidently
Casper Ruud, on the other hand, has already provided clear fronts in Oslo. The Norwegian, since this Monday member of the top ten in the ATP world rankings for the first time, won against the Uzbek Khumoyun Sultanov 6: 3 and 6: 3. Viktor Durasovic then ensured the home side's 2-0 lead with an equally smooth win against Denis Istomin.
The stakes for Ruud and Tsitsipas are different this weekend: Norway plays in World Group I, so can hope to get a place in the Davis Cup final tournament next year. The Greeks are still one step down. And could reach the top in 2023 at the earliest.